Angola–Italy relations

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Angolan-Italian relations
Map indicating locations of Angola and Italy

Angola
Italy
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Angola, RomeEmbassy of Italy, Luanda
Envoy
Ambassador Maria de Fátima Monteiro JardimAmbassador Cristiano Gallo

Angola–Italy relations are the bilateral relations between Angola and Italy. Formal diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on 4 June 1976, shortly after Angola gained independence from Portugal on November 11, 1975.[1]

History

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On 18 February 1976, following the Angolan War of Independence, Italy became the first country of the Western Bloc to recognize the newly-formed Republic of Angola.[1][2] Formal diplomatic relations were established on June 4, 1976.

In the years following the establishment of diplomatic relations, Italy and Angola signed several agreements to strengthen their bilateral cooperation.[3] On April 10, 1976, the Air Transport Agreement was signed to facilitate air connectivity between the two countries. On August 3, 1977, both nations entered into a Technical Cooperation Agreement and a Memorandum of Intent, which led to the creation of a Joint Commission aimed at fostering collaboration in various sectors.[4]

Throughout the Angolan Civil War, Italy maintained diplomatic relations with Angola and continued its engagement through humanitarian efforts. Italian non-governmental organizations, universities and missionaries were active in Angola during this period.[5]

In recent years, Italy and Angola have worked to deepen their partnership. High-level visits and the signing of various agreements have strengthened bilateral relations.[3]

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with Angolan President João Lourenço on May 24, 2024
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meets with Angolan President João Lourenço on May 24, 2024

In May 2023, Angolan President João Lourenço met Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, where he emphasized that Italy is an "essential partner," particularly in the areas of trade and business.[6][7][8]

Economic relations

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Angola is the third largest commercial partner for Italy in Subsaharan Africa. Among the Italian companies operating in Angola are Eni and Saipem in the oil sector, and Maire Tecnimont in the renewable energy sector.[9] In 2022 the total volume of trade between the two countries reached a decade-high of € 1.8 billion. Exports from Angola amounted to €1.5 billion, most of which (93.2%) were crude oil exports, while the value of exports from Italy was €368 million.[10]

In 2023 bilateral trade between Angola and Italy totaled approximately $1.4 billion, with Angola exporting around $800 million in goods and importing roughly $588 million from Italy. Angola's exports to Italy remained overwhelmingly dominated by crude petroleum, which accounted for over 97% of the total export value. Conversely, Italy's exports to Angola continued to be significantly diversified. Gas turbines ($46.6 million) were the top Italian export, alongside other machinery and manufactured goods.[11]

Defense cooperation

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Italy and Angola have established a framework for defense cooperation, formalized through agreements such as Law No. 11 of January 25, 2017, which ratified a 2013 bilateral agreement to facilitate collaboration in areas including military training, logistics, and defense technology.[12]

In recent years, Italy has expressed interest in expanding military cooperation with Angola, particularly in maritime security, aviation, and training.[13] Italian defense companies, such as Leonardo S.p.A., have explored partnerships to support Angola's capabilities in areas that include aerospace, defense, and cybersecurity.[14]

Italian diaspora

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These paragraphs are an excerpt from Italian diaspora § Africa.[edit]
Italian settlers also stayed in Portuguese colonies in Africa (Angola and Mozambique) after World War II. As the Portuguese government had sought to enlarge the small Portuguese population settled there through emigration from Europe,[15] the Italian migrants gradually assimilated into the Angolan and Mozambican Portuguese community.

The humanitarian and evangelizing work of missionaries, as well as the presence of a solid Italian community, were significant during Portuguese Angola and continued to be so even after Angola's independence.[5]

Diplomatic missions

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The Italian Embassy to Angola is located in Luanda, and was established in July 2004.[16] The Angolan Embassy to Italy is located in Rome.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "1976 Testi e Documenti sulla politica estera dell'Italia" (PDF) (in Italian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Italy). p. 132. Retrieved 5 January 2024. I Governi della Repubblica italiana e della Repubblica popolare di Angola hanno convenuto di stabilire relazioni diplomatiche a livello di ambasciatori con effetto dal 4 giugno 1976.
  2. ^ "Angola: Vicente, relazioni con Italia piu' forti dopo visita Renzi" (in Italian). AGI. 17 August 2015. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b cfeditoren (2023-06-04). "Italian diplomat acknowledges improvements in partnership with Angola". Angola. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  4. ^ FurtherAfrica (2023-06-07). "Italian diplomat stresses improvement in partnership with Angola". FurtherAfrica. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  5. ^ a b "ENERGY IN AFRICA: WHAT RELATIONS BETWEEN ITALY AND ANGOLA?" (PDF). ECCO. April 24, 2024.
  6. ^ "Italy is an Essential Partner, Says Angolan President". energycapitalpower.com. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  7. ^ Nova, Redazione Agenzia (2023-05-24). "Italy-Angola: President Lourenco in Rome to extend cooperation beyond the energy sector". Agenzia Nova. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  8. ^ "Il Presidente Meloni incontra il Presidente della Repubblica dell'Angola". www.governo.it (in Italian). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  9. ^ "Comércio com a Itália cresceu 1,8 mil milhões de euros". Jornal de Angola (in Portuguese). 14 June 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Angola (AGO) and Italy (ITA) Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  11. ^ "Angola (AGO) and Italy (ITA) Trade". The Observatory of Economic Complexity. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  12. ^ "Italy and International Law » Law No. 11 of 25 January 2017, Ratification and implementation of the Agreement of cooperation in the field of defense between the Government of Italian Republic and the Executive of the Republic of Angola, done at Rome on 19 November 2013. Entry into force: 16 February 2017". www.larassegna.isgi.cnr.it. Archived from the original on 2024-12-08. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  13. ^ "Italy Expresses Interest In Maritime Security, Aviation, Training". www.militaryperiscope.com. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  14. ^ Cumbi, Valter (2024-10-08). "Italy seeks expanded cooperation with Angola in space and cybersecurity". FurtherAfrica. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  15. ^ Portugal - Emigration, Eric Solsten, ed. Portugal: A Country Study. Washington: GPO for the Library of Congress, 1993.
  16. ^ "Chi siamo". Ambasciata d'Italia Luanda (in Italian). Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Ambasciata". Ambasciata della Repubblica dell'Angola (in Italian). Retrieved 6 January 2024.